Skylight operator



Aug. 13, 1929. B. P. BLAsKl 1,724,123

SKYLIGHT OPERATOR Filed March 4, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aug; 13, 1929. B. p, BLASK, 1,724,123

SKYLIGHT OPERATOR Filed Maron 4, 192e 2 sheets-sheet' 2 @mlm CII

Patented Aug. 13, 1929.

BENJAMIN LBILASKI, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SKYLIGHT OPERATOR.

Application filed March 4, 1926. `Serial No. 92,193.

My invention relates to skylights, and particularly to kmeans for effecting the raising and llowering `movement or for controlling such movement. It is one of the object-s of my invention to provide a new and improved form and arrangement of means for frictionally controlling `the downward movement `of `a skylight section; to provide that such friction means may be adjusted so as to enable it to work in the desired manner with skylight sections of different weight or with va plurality of such sections; to pro vide a form and `arrangement such that the operating mechanism may work independently of the friction means for raising the `section but that the friction means shall be .automatically brought into action at the end of the raising operation; to provide a con struction of this type 4in `which the friction moans is adapted normally to support the weight of the section for holding it against downward movement; to `provide an arrangement in which the operating mechanism may be operated for lowering the section against the `action of the friction means; to provide for partially releasing the friction means for permitting the section to descend slowly by gravity or for entirely releasing the friction means for giving the section a free downward movement by gravity; and to provide a construction of this type in which the release of the friction means is effected independently of the operation of the raising and lowering means.

It is another object of my invention to provide .an improved form of friction clutch means for attaining the above named objects; to provide an improved form of gearing for the operating mechanism whereby a very strong structure may be had and one capable of being produced at a moderate cost with a minimum of machine work thereon; and otherwise to improve mechanisms of this type in sundry details hereinafter pointed out.

The preferred means by which I have accomplished my several objects are illustrated in the drawings and arehercinafter specilically described. That which I believe to be new and desire to cover by this application is set forth in the claims.

In the drawings Fig. l 's a cross sectional view through my improved skylight in ,position on a roof, certain of the parts being broken aWav for nlearness of illustration, i

Fig. 2 is a perspective view yof my .improved crown ,gear for operating `the skylight.

Fiig. 3 is a horizontal cross section through the operating pinion of my improved construction, being substantially a section taken at line 3-3 of Fig. 5.

F 4l is a side view vof a portion of the operating mechanism for my skylight, as seen from the left in Fig. l, certain of the parts being broken away.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on an enlarged scale substantially at the line v5-5 of Fig. l. y

Fig. 6 is a vertical section# taken at line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7is a fragmentary view similar to the upper portion of Fig. 4i but showing a changed position of the parts; and

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially at line 8-8 of Fig.

-Referring; to the several figures of the drawings, in which corresponding parts are indica-ted bythe same reference characters,- l5 indicates a roof of any approved type having a skylight opening therein, the curb of which is provided by end sills i6 and side sills 17. Extending across the skylight opening at intervals therealong, there are a plurality of truss frames, each comprising a cross bar 18 extending from one side sill to the other, `an upright bar 19 rising from the middle portion of the bar 18, and diagonally disposed bars or rafters 20 at opposite sides of the opening, the rafters of each truss section `being connected at their outer ends with the cross bar 18 and at their upper ends with the upright bar 19. Upon the upper ends of the upright bars 19, there is a longitudinally extending cap 21 `formed of sheet metal.

At each side of the skylight opening,

Avthere `is mounted a closure section pivotally mounted upon a horizontal axis so as to be lowered into position to close the opening betweenthe side sill 17 and the cap 21, or to `be raised as desired for `purposes of ven- .tilation.. In the construct-ion shown, each of `the sections comprises Va frame 22 .of any suitable type pivotally mounted in position by means of downwardly extending lugs 23 which pass through suitably positioned open ings in the rafters 20. Each section is provided at its upper edge with a flange 2f which `is adapted in the lowered position of the Section. to enges@ the lover edge portion.

- point along each of the shafts 27, the shaft is journalled in a frame 28 as hereinafter described, the remaining parts of the shaft vof any suitable type.

being -journalled below the cross bars by means of any suitable type of bracket not shown. At intervals along each of the closure sections, pinions 29 of any suitable type are provided upon the shaft 27 ,y each of Vsuch pinions having in mesh therewith a rack bar 30 whichis'pivotally connected at its upper end with theV closure section. The rack bars 30 are held in operative engagement with the pinions by means of clips 31 The arrangement is such that when the shaft 27 is given a suitable rotation (in clockwise direction in Fig.

1) the sections are swung upwardly on. their pivotal connections for opening the skylight.

The means for operating t-he closure sections is mounted, in the construction shown, upon the frames 28. As is best shown in Fig. 4l', each of these frames comprises, in the construction shown, two strips of sheet metal bent into form and secured together Yat their end portions, being securedin posi- `tion by means of bolts passing through suitable openings in one of the rafters 2O and the adjacent cross bar 18. The horizontally .disposed shaft 27 extends through suitable openings in the vertically disposed side portions of the frame, an operating rod 32 being journalled in vertical position in t-he horizontally disposed portions of the frame in crossed relationship to the shaft 27 in close proximity thereto. The operating rod 32 is designed to extend downwardly from the roof into convenient 'position t-o be operated by a workman standing on the floor below the roof, being provided on its lower end portion with a` handle 33 of any approved type.

The upper end portion of the operating rod 32 is provided with an operating pinion a short distance below the top of the frame V28. ln the construction illustrated, this pinion comprisesl a U-clipf34 having openings through its legs adapted to receive a sleeve 35 which hasa working fit upon the end of the operating rod 32. The cross bar portion `of the'U-clip is also provided with an openv ing in which a set screw 36 is loosely mountech the inner end of the set screw eX- tending through an opening in one side of the sleeve 35. Mounted by means of screw veach other.

forced inwardly into tight grippingengagement with the operating rod 32. serving to hold both the sleeve 35 and the clip 3l against rotary movement with respect to the rod 32. The clip 34e and sleeve 35 are held from vertical movement with respect to the frame 28 by means of a collar 38 mounted upon the sleeve 35 between the clip and the upper end of the frame. The set screw 36 also serves to connectl the operatingl rod 32 in adjusted position longitudinally of the rod' with respect to the frame 28.

Adjacent to the clip 3ft upon the sleeve 35, there are mounted two sheet metal plates 39 which are rheld in spaced relation to each other by means of lugs 40 carried by the plates and extending into engagement with The plates 39 are connected to the clip 34 by means of three bolts 4l passing through aligned openings in the plates 39 and in the legs of the clip, three of sueh bolts being employed in the construction shown, as is best shown in Fig. 3. The bolts 4l are preferably in the forni of rivets. The plates 89 are further connected together by means of additional bolts Ll2 also in the form of rivets, the bolts Ll1 and 42 being positioned in equally spaced relation circuinferentially of the pinion so as to enable such bolts to function as the teeth of the pinion. ln the preferred construction, the bolts 4l and ll2 are mounted so as 'to rotate with respect to the remaining parts.

As is best shown in Fig. 5, the upper end of the sleeve is provided with a ratchet 43 which bears upon the upper face of the top cross bar of the frame 28 serving to hold the sleeve and the pinion carried thereby in fixed vertical. position with respect to the frame. On top of the frame 28, there is mounted a disk llst of metal or other appropriate material, the disk being provided with a central opening through which the ratchet Lt3 and operating rod 32 extend. A plate 15 is mounted upon the top .tace of the disk all, such plate also being provided with an opening to receive the ratchet 43. Bolts 46 ex tend through openings in the end portion of the plate and through the top cross bar of the frame 28 beyond the edge of the disk all, having springs 47 mounted thereon, the upper ends of the springs bearing against nuts 48 adjustably mounted upon the upper ends of the bolts. By this arrangement, the plate can be caused to press downwalxlly so as` to provide the desired frictional grip upon the disk 44, the nuts 48 being adjustable for varying the effective strength of the friction. l

its is `best shown inF ig. 8, the disk 44 `is provided with a lateral extension of `the central opening therethrough for `receiving `a pawl 49 therein, the outer end of the pawl and a. portion of the .laterally `extending opening being such `that .ball and socket `joint` is provided in elfeet ifor permitting horizontal swinging movement of the pawl. il looped spring 50` is mounted iin such lateral opening on the outer face of the pawl 49 serving normally to liolditlie pawl in contact with the teeth of the ratchet 43.

As will be appreciated .from the above description, when the operating rod 32 is turned in clockwise direction in Fig. 8, the teeth of `the ratchet `move azway 4from the pawl 49 without rotating the disk 44. When, however, the operating rod 32 is rotated in `counter-clockwise direction -in said Fig. 8,

the disk 44 is caused to rotate with the operating rod, it lbeing necessary .in such case to overcome the friction between the disk 44 and the plates on :the-opposite faces of the disk.

Means :is `provided for relieving the pressure of the `springs 47 iupon the plate 45 so as to release the frictional ygri-p of the disk 44 when that result is desired. This means comprises a plate .5l extending at one end between the plate 45 and the upper cross `bar of the frame 28, such plate 5l being held `i'i'iovably in position by means of bolts 52 which .pass lloosely through suitable opening-s in the :plate 5l, as is best shown in Fig. 8. At its outer end the plate 5l is provided with a chain depending .therefrom by which a downward pull can befexerted upon the outer end of the plate serving to cant the inner end portion of the plate 51 between 'the plate 45 `and the frame `28 for raising the plate 45 out of contact with the diski44, .as is clearly shown in Fig. 7. In the construction shown, the opposite end of the plate 45 is brought by the canting `movement of 'the plate 51 into contact vwith the rivets V54 by `which the bars of the frame `28 are secured together, suoli rivets serving as the `tulcrum for forcing the plate 45 out of contact with the disk 44 against the action ofthe springs `47; By a strong downward pull upon the chain 53, the plate 45 can be moved entirely `out of Y contact with the disk 44 so to relieve endit) tirely the `friction .upon such disk. Whenever it is Adesired to reliieve the friction Aonly partially so as to employ the disk 44 and its cooperating parts yas a friction clutch for `slowing `down the rotary movement of the operating rod B2, this can be accomplished lvery readily by varying the strength of the downward pull upon the chain 53.

Means is provided upon the horizontally `disposed shaft 27 adapted to cooperate with the pinion mounted upon `the sleeve 35 Vfor driving the shaft 27 The means Ashown is in the form of a ycrown ygear comprising a Vring 55 provided .with teeth .56 at one Yedge adapted to engage the rotary teeth 4l and 42, such .ring bei-ng secured in concentric position `about the shaft 27 so as to form in effect a crown gear. In the construction shown, `the ring 55 is in the forni of a strip of metal bent into shape and having its end portions connected by means of a plate 57. The ring is `mounted upon the shaft 27 by means of spokes 58 arranged in pairs, the spokes of cach pair converging toward their outer ends where they `are connected to the ring 55.

rlhe hub for the `crown gear comprises in the construction shown two U-clips 59, the legs `of which are provided with openings adapted to receive the shaft 27 the two clips `being secured upon the shaft in contact yoftl'ieclips, such screws being in engagement at their inner .ends with the shaft 27. 4Nuts 63 mounted on .the set screws on the inner faces of thecross bar portions .of the clips se ve to force the screws intogripping ,en-

gagement with the shaft when the screws are properly rotated for this purpose.

lVitli the parts connected in the arrangement shown in Fig. l, with oneor more of the `closure sections connected with the sliat't 27 through lthe medium of the rack bars 30 and the pinions 29, the nuts 48 on the bolts 4G are to be turned to position for tigl'itening the springs 47 so that the frictional grip `between :the `disk 44 and the plates on its opposite faces is such as .to support the closure sections in elevated position. With this `arrangement, the .closure sections controlled `by the shaft 27 can be raised :by the rotation of the operating rod 32 (by a rotary `movemeifit in clockwise direction in Fig. 8), Ythe friction clutch being adapted automatically to liold the closui'e sections in elevated position. lf it is desired .to lower the sections t-o a slight extent, this can be accomplished by turning the operating rod 32 in counter-clockwise direction in Fig. S against `the action of the friction clutch. `Wlien ever it is desired to lower the sections to a considerable extent or to completely close the sections, this can be accomplished by a downward pull upon the chain 53 without any manual manipulation of `the operating rod 32, `the weight of the sections bein sufficient for carrying them downwardly to closing position as soon as the pressure of the springs 47 upon the disk 44 is relieved. As an alternative operation, the pressure of the springs 47 upon the disk 44 can be only partially relieved so as to cause the friction clutch to act as a brake for controlling the downward movement of the sections' by gravity.

Vhenever the disk 44 becomes worn, the

springs 47 can be tightened through the inedium of the nuts 48 upon t-lie bolts 46, or if it becomes necessary a new disk 44 can be inserted in place of the old disk. The disk 44 can be of any suitable form so as to provide the desired frictional contact wit-h the adjacent parts.

While I prefer to employ the construction as illustrated in my drawings and as above described, it will be understood that I do not wish to limit my invention to the form shown lexcept `so far as the same is specifically claimed, inasmuch as it is evident that changes may well be made inthe form of construction without departing from the Aspirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. An operating mechanism for lifting and controlling a horizontally pivoted skylight section, comprising in combination a rotary operating member, friction clutch means, and one-way driving connections between said vclutch and said operating member adapted to permit rotation of the operating member independently of the clutch in the direction for raising the section but to cause the clutch to rotate with the operating member in the direction for lowering the section.

2.*AnV operating mechanism for lifting and controlling a horizontally pivoted skylight section, Vcomprising in combination a rotary operating member, friction clutch means, and pawl and ratchet mechanism interposed between said clutch and said operating member adapted to permit rotation of the operating member independently of the clutch in the direction for raising the section but to cause the clutch to rotate with the operating member in the direction for lowering the section.

3. An operating mechanism for lifting and controllinga horizontally pivoted skylight section, comprising in combination a horizontally extending shaft journalled below said section, means actuated by rotation of the shaft for raising the section, a vertically disposed operating rod journalled adjacent to said shaft,`gearing connecting said shaft and said operating rod, a frictional clutchv adjacent to said operating rod, and pawl and ratchetr mechanism connecting said clutch and said rodadapted to permit free rotation of the rod with respect to the clutch in the direction for raising the section but to cause the clutch to rotate with the vrod iii the direction for lowering the section.

4. An operating mechanism for lifting and controlling a horizontally pivoted skylight section, comprising in combination a horizontally extending shaft journalled below said section, means actuated by rotation of the shaft for raising the section, a vertically disposed operating rod journalled adjacent to said shaft, gearing connecting said shaft and said operating rod, a disk mounted loosely on said rod, plates pressing yieldiiigly on the opposite faces of said disk for holding it frictionally against rotation, and one-way driving connections between said disk and said operating rod adapted to permit free rotation of the rod foi raising the section but to cause the disk to rotate with the rod in the direction foi' lowering the section.

5. An operating mechanism for lifting and controlling a horizontally pivoted skylight section, comprising in combination a horizontally extending shaft journalled below said section, means actuated by rotation of the shaft for raising the section, a vertically disposed operating rod j ouinalled adjacent to said shaft, gearing connecting said shaft and said operating rod, a disk mounted loosely on said rod, plates pressing yieldingly on the opposite faces of said disk for holding it frictionally against rotation, oneway driving connections between said disk and said operating rod adapted to permit free rotation of the rod for raising the section but to cause the disk to rotate with the `rod in the direction for lowering the section, and means for loosening said plates with respect to said disk.

6. An operating mechanism for lifting and controlling a horizontally pivoted skylight section, comprising in combination a horizontally extending shaft journalled below said section, means actuated by rotation of the shaft for raising the section, a vertically disposed operating rod journalled adjacent to said shaft, gearing connecting said shaft and said operating rod, a disk mounted loosely on said rod, plates on opposite faces of said disk, springs normally pressing said plates toward each other for effecting a frictional grip on said disk, one-way driving connections between said disk and said operating rod adapted to permit free rotation of the rod for raising the section but to cause the disk to rotate with the rod in the direction for lowering the section, and means for forcing said plates apart against the action of said springs for permitting the disk to rotate freely in the direction for lowering the section.

7. An operating mechanism for lifting` and controlling a horizontally pivoted skylight section, comprising in combination a horizontally extending shaft journalled below said section, means actuated by rotation of the shaft for raising the section, a vertically disposed operating rod journalled adjacent to said shaft, gearing connecting said shaft and said operating rod, a disk mounted loosely on said rod, plates on opposite faces `of said disk, springs normally pressing said plates toward each other for effecting a frictional grip on said disk, one-way driving connections between said disk and said operating rod adapted to permit free rotation of the rod for raising the section but to cause the disk to rotate with the rod in the direction for lowering the section, means for adjusting the tension of said springs for controlling the strength of the frictional grip of the plates on the disk to suit the weight of the section, and means for forcing said plates apart against the action of said springs for permitting the disk to rotate freely in the direction for lowering the section.

8. An operating mechanism for a horizontally pivoted skylight section, comprising in combination a frame, a horizontally disposed shaft journalled in said frame at opposite sides thereof, an operating rod journalled in said frame in crossed relationship to said shaft, and intermeshing gearing mounted on said shaft and said operating rod for rotation of one of said members by the other.

9. An operating mechanism for lifting and controlling a horizontally pivoted skylight section, comprising in combination a rotary member, means acting upon rotation of said member in one direction t-o raise said sect-ion, a disk adapted to rotate with said member when driven in the direction for lowering the section, a plate pressed yieldingly against said disk for holding itby friction against rotation, and means for relieving the pressure of said plate on said disk for permitting the section to descend by gravity.

l0. An operating mechanism fr lifting and controlling a horizontally pivoted skylight section, comprising in combination a rotary member, means acting upon rotation of said member in one direction to raise said section, a disk adapted to rotate with said member' when driven in the direction for lowering the section, a plate bearing against said disk, adjustable yielding means for pressing said plate against the disk for frictionally controlling its rotation, and means for relieving the pressure of the plate on said disk against the action of said yielding means for permitting the section to descend by gravity.

ll. An operating mechanism for lifting and controlling a horizontally pivoted skylight section, comprising in combination a rotary member, means acting upon rotation of said member in one direction to raise said section, a disk adjacent to said rotary mem-l ber frictionally operating means adapted to resist rotation of said disk, one-way driving connections between said disk and said rotary member adapted to permit free rotation of the rotary member with respect to the disk for raising the section but to cause the disk to -rotate with the rotary member in the direction for lowering the section, and means for releasing said disk from said frictionally operating means for permitting the section to descend by gravity.

l2. An operating mechanism for a hori` zontally pivoted skylight section, comprising in combination a frame, a horizontally disposed shaft journalled in said frame at opposite sides thereof, an operating rod journalled in said frame in crossed relationship to said shaft, a crown gear fixed on said horizontal shaft, and a pinion fixed on said operating rod in mesh with said gear for rotating the gear.

18. An operating mechanism for lifting and controlling a horizontally pivoted skylight section, comprising in combination an operating rod, means actuated by the rotation of said rod for raising and lowering the section, a disk adapted to rotate with said rod in the dir ection for lowering the section, frictional braking means normally bearing on said disk for preventing free downward movement of the section, and means for releasing the disk for permitting free downward movement of the section.

BENJAMIN P. BLASKI. 

